Truss structure



March 1954 H. w. STANLEY ETAL 2,670, 19

TRUSS STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1949 l 3 Shee'ts-Sheet l @911 I I ATTORNEY March 1954 H. w. STANLEY ET AL 2,670,819

TRUSS STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR N EY March 2, 1954 H. w. STANLEY ET AL 2,670,819

TRUSS STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ///7/P/?Y 14 6 777/VLEX, 7/741 H. SW/VLE'X.

ATTORN EY Patented Ma. 2, 1954 TRUSS STRUCTURE Harry W. Stanley and Ralph H. Stanley, Glendale, Calif., assignors of one-fifth to Charles N. Stanley, Glendale, Calif.

Application April 29, 1949, Serial No. 90,378

for form work, for structural support during the proces of construction for the mechanical trades, or for any structure where a rigid steel framework is required, or for the support ofv other structures such as electric signs, billboards, or

anything requiring a rigid support.

An object of the invention is to devise a rigid truss structure of relatively light weight but of rugged construction.

A further object is to devise a rigid truss which may be manufactured mainly by machine operation and which will be accurately formed and will retain its shape. This object is accomplished in part by forming the truss of metal rods woven together in a rigid pattern and by pre-stressing parts of the truss in the process of manufacture.

Another feature of our invention is a novel arrangement of bracing members providing diagonal bracing for the module bays of the truss. Such bracing members are formed of zig-zag rods arranged to cross diagonally the module bays located between two adjacent studs, the successive apices of each zig-zag bracing rod being connected alternately to front and back corners of successive bays, whereby each reach of each rod provides bracing of the bay in two perpendicular directions.

Still another feature of the invention is the manner in which the apices of adjacent bracing members are overlapped and interlocked by rods forming the horizontal boundaries of the bays.

Another important feature of the invention is the method of assembling or weaving the component parts into the completed truss structure.

The invention will be explained in connection with the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure l is a perspective View of a completed section of the truss;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 and showing how the diagonal bracing rods are interlocked at the junction of four module bays;

Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3 as seen from the right of that figure;

Figure'5 shows the structure of Figure 2 after a further alternative or optional operation;

7 Claims. (01. 189-24) Figure 6 is a top view of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a side view of Figure 6 as seen from the right of that figure;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view showing diagonal bracing members in position for the first step in the assembling operation;

Figure 9 is a plan view showing the diagonal bracing members positioned for the second step in the assembling operation;

Figure 10 is an end view of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an end view of Figure 9;

Figure 12 in an end view like Figure 11 but showing the third step in the assembling operation; and

Figure 13 is an end view like Figure 12 but showing the fourth step in the assembling operation.

Figure 1 shows a representative section of a truss made according to our invention, and while only six module bays. areshown it will be clear that the same design can be extended to include any desired number of bays.

The truss is formed of a plurality of ladder-like studs i, 2 and 3 arranged in parallel relation and spaced apart by module distances (for example 16 inches), each stud being formed of a pair of parallel runners I a, I b, 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b havingv transverse rungs or struts lo, 20 and 3c joining the runners at module intervals and being ar-.

ranged normal to the plane of the truss. The

stud runners la, 2a, 3a and lb, 2b, 3b are joined on both faces of the truss by horizontal rods module bay of the truss to the diagonal cornerv of the upper module bay on the front of the truss, then to the diagonal corner of the next lower module bay on the rear of the truss and so on. The other diagonal bracing member 9 runs parallel with the first bracing .member except that it is connected with bay corners on the opposite faces of the truss from the first bracing member. Diagonal bracing members I 0, H are similarly placed between studs 2 and 3, and bracing members l2, l3 shown in fragment are arranged between studs 3 and 4, and so on. It will be noted, however, thatthe bracing members in alternate stud bays are arranged along opposite bay diagonals. For example, while bracing members 8 and 8 join the top left corners of the upper bay with the lower right corners, bracing members l and H extend between the bottom left corners and the top right corners of the upper bay between studs 2 and 3. In other words, the apices of diagonal braces 8 and 9 are positioned at the same bay corners as the apices of diagonal braces l0 and H. Also, the apices of adjacent diagonal bracing members are overlapped and interlocked by the horizontal truss members as will be explained below.

The details of the interlocking joint at a typical juncture of the truss are shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. These figures show on an enlarged scale the joint at the intersection of stud runner 2b and horizontal member 6a in Figure l, but the same type of joint is used at the junction of runner 2a and horizontal 6b, and at all similar locations throughout the truss. Figure 2 shows the joint from the position 01 the cutting line 2-2 of Figure 1. The horizontal rod 6a passes across the outside of the runner 2b of the stud 2 and the diagonal members 8 and ill are interlocked with the rod 8a and with each other. The rod 8 extends diagonally away from the juncture of stud 2 and horizontal rod 6a towards the opposite corners of the two module bays between studs and 2 and the apex of the bracing member at this point is formed into a semicircular loop 8b which is looped over the outside of rod Ea at a point adjacent stud runner 2b. The diagonal id extends across the two remaining module bays (between studs 2 and 3) in a similar manner, passing over runner 22), over diagonal 8 on opposite sides of loop 817, and is looped under horizontal 5a by a semicircular loop we formed at the apex. The two loops in diagonal 68 located adjacent the loop lilo. are looped on the outside of horizontals 5b and 7b respectively, and the two loops in diagonal 8 adjacent loop 8b engage the inner side of horizontals 5b and lb, respectively. Thus, the loops for the aligned apices at one side of each diagonal brace will be formed like loop Illa. and the loops on the other side will be formed like loop 81). It will be noted that both sets of loops are bent out of the plane of the zigzag member on the same side. This construction produces a truss which is capable of bearing a load without further processing, but it is preferred that the various members be welded together at the various points of contact to provide added rigidity. The size of the stock employed in making up the truss will depend somewhat on how the truss is to be used, but for use as reinforcing and for other purposes, the studs are formed of round rod stock of diameter, and the horizontals and diagonals are formed of round rod stock of /4 inch diameter.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a modification of a joint formed in the above manner which has been simultaneously welded and consolidated by the use of resistance welding and welding electrodes having die cavities formed in the face thereof. After the joint has been heated to the proper temperature it is compressed in the welding die to consolidate the various parts into a solid joint as shown. By this process the overlapping parts are merged with the stud runner and there are no parts projecting beyond this runner.

The method of assembling the truss structure is illustrated in Figures 8 to 13, inclusive, in which the diagonal bracing members are shown in single-line diagrammatic form. The truss is not assembled in the position shown in Figure 1 but is turned on its side so that the horizontal rods ta, db, etc., are in a vertical position as shown in Figures 8 to 13.

Preliminary to the actual weaving operation the diagonal rods are bent into the zig-zag shape shown in Figures 8 and 9 with a loop formed at the apex of each angle. These zig-zag members may be formed quickly and with great accuracy by suitable machinery as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Preferably, the diagonal members are formed with the apex loops bent out of the plane of the members by substantially degrees and on the same side of the member. The loops on one side of the diagonal member will be designated by the letter a and those on the other side by b, for example, all the loops on one side of diagonal 8 are designated by So and all the loops on the other side of the diagonal 8 are designated by 8b. The distance between any two adjacent loops, in either the a or b series, is equal to twice the module distance, for example. 32 inches.

The horizontal rods 4a, 4b, etc, are supported in a vertical position with their upper ends free and with the rods of each pair spaced the thickness or depth of the truss apart and the space between each pair being equal to the module dimension chosen (16 inches). The diagonals 8 and 9, with the apex loops turned upwardly, are then positioned with the loops 8a and 9a looped over the inside of horizontals 5b, 1b and 5a, Ia, re spectively, and the main portion of the diagonals extending away from the horizontals as shown in Figures 8 and 10.

The second step in the weaving operation is to insert the diagonals l9 and H from the lower side of diagonals 9 and 8 with the a loops of IO and H in line with the upper ends of horizontals 4a, 6a and 4b, 6b, respectively, as shown in Figure 9 and the dotted outlines in Figure 11. The diagonals l0 and H are then lowered along the horizontals as shown in Figure 11, until the loops that engage the horizontals are all approximately in one horizontal plane.

The third step, as shown in Figure 12, is to cross the diagonals 8 and 9 over so that loops 81) will be above the ends of horizontals 4a and 6a, and loops 9b will be above the ends of horizontals 4b and 6b. The a loops of the first pair of diagonals will have to be held in place against the horizontals by suitable means but all subsequent pairs of horizontals will have the a loops held in place by the b loops of the preceding pair of diagonals, as will be seen presently.

After the diagonals 8 and 9 have been crossed over, they are lowered along the horizontals until the loops 8b and 9b have passed below the top ends of the horizontals and are looped around the outside of the horizontals as shown in Figure 13.

This completes one cycle of the weaving process and the next cycle is begun, as shown in Figure 13, by rotating diagonals Ill and H to the positions shown in Figure 13 preparatory to crossing them over and then inserting another pair of diagonals l2 and 13 from the lower side of diagonals H and H! and looping the a loops of diagonals l2 and I3 over horizontals 5b, lb and 5a. lain the same manner that diagonals H and H! were inserted from the lower side of diagonals 8 and 9 and looped over horizontals ib, 6b and 4a, 6a, respectively.

Diagonals Hi and H are then crossed over and loops lb and lib are looped around the outside of horizontals 512, lb and 5a, la, respectively. The crossing of diagonals l0 and II causes the loops 111w and i In to be interlaced with and held -in' positionby the loops '8!) and 9b respectively, as shown in Figures 2,3 and 4.

From the foregoing it will be understood that during the weaving operation, the interlocked diagonals are moved downwardly on each crossover operation, and that just before each crossover, two additional diagonals are inserted below the twodiagonals about to be crossed and are hooked over appropriate horizontals. Alternate pairs of diagonals are hooked over the odd and even numbered horizontals respectively.

After the desired number of module bays have been woven by this method, the studs l, 2, 3, etc., which have previously been assembled by welding the struts 10, 2c, 30 etc. between the respective stud runners l a, I b, 211, 2b, etc., are inserted between and at right angles to the pairs of horizontals at each line of knots formed by the weaving of the diagonals.

The final operation is the tensioning and welding operation which is performed in two practically simultaneous steps. This operation firmly anchors the various elements to one another and uniformly pre-stresses them, thereby producing a lightweight, extremely rigid truss structure in which each member bears its share of the load and none are understressed or overstressed. This operation is accomplished by clamping the truss along one stud line at the location of each strut and similarly clamping the truss'at an adjacent stud line. The junctures of the various elements across the second stud line are then heated by suitable means until in a plastic state and the clamps holding the second stud line are moved slightly away from the clamps holding the first stud line, thereby eliminating small irregularities in the dimensions of the various elements. The junctures are then welded and the clamps are held in this position during the cooling of the truss members. This results in a precision truss that has been uniformly prestressed by resisting the shrinking in different truss members during the cooling process. When the clamps are released after cooling, the diagonal members remain under tension while the module sections of the studs, struts, and horizontal rods are under compression.

As previously stated, one use to which our improved truss may be put is that of reinforcing for concrete structures. Instead of bracing the pouring forms externally as is the conventional practice in reinforced concrete construction, when using our improved truss structure as reinforcing the truss itself will serve to support the forms. To facilitate the attachment of the form panels to the truss structure, a special clamp has been devised which is shown in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17.

We claim:

1. A truss structure comprising a plurality of vertical, ladder-like studs arranged in parallel relation and spaced apart by module distances, each stud being formed of a pair of parallel runners having transverse struts joining the runners at spaced module intervals and being arranged normal to the plane of the truss; horizontal rods arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the studs and being joined to the stud runners at the locations of the transverse struts whereby the truss is divided into a plurality of module bays, each of said horizontal rods extending entirely across said truss, a pair of bracing members of zig-zag form arranged between each pair of studs, one bracing member extending from one 6 1 front corner of a module bay tothe rear diagonal corner of the same module bay, then to the front diagonal corner of the next module bay and so on through allthe bays between a pair of studs;

bracing. elements positioned between adjacentpairs of studs are arranged so that diagonal bracing of zig-zag form is provided along each horizontal row of bays.

3. A truss according to claim 1 wherein the apex loops along one side of each zig-zag member are looped around the outside of horizontal rods along one stud location, and the apex loops along the other side of each zig-zag member are looped around the apex loops of a bracing member located between an adjacent pair of studs.

4. A truss joint comprising a stud member, a horizontal member crossing said stud member at substantially right angles thereby forming four quadrants between said members, a first diagonal member approaching the point of contact between said members in a first quadrant and from behind the plane of the crossed members, crossing over said horizontal member and extending away from said point of contact and behind said plane in an adjadent quadrant on the same side of the stud member as said first quadrant, and a second diagonal member approaching said point of contact in a third quadrant on the opposite side of the stud member from said first quadrant and from behind said plane, and crossing over said stud member and said first diagonal member, under said horizontal member, again over said first diagonal member and said stud member and extending away from said point of contact and behind said plane in a fourth quadrant.

5. A truss according to claim 1 wherein the apex loops of the bracing members positioned on one side of a stud are looped around the outside of the horizontal rods at the stud locations, and the apex loops of the bracing members located on the other side of the stud pass over the stud runners and over the first-mentioned loops but around the inside of the same horizontal rods.

6. A truss structure comprising a plurality of vertical studs arranged in parallel relation and spaced apart horizontally by module distances, each stud being formed of a pair of vertical runners secured in rigid parallel relation by transverse bracing members and arranged in a plane normal to the plane of the truss, a plurality of horizontal rods extending entirely across the front face of said truss and in contact with the front runner of each stud, a like plurality of horizontal rods extending entirely across the rear face of the truss and in contact with the rear runner of each stud, said horizontal rods being arranged in horizontally aligned pairs on opposite faces of said truss, said pairs of horizontal rods being spaced apart vertically by module distances whereby the truss is divided into a plurality of module bays, a pair of diagonal bracing members of zig-zag form arranged between each pair of studs, one of said diagonal bracing members extending from one front corner of a module bay to the rear diagonal corner of the same module bay, then to the front diagonal corner of the next module bay and so on through all the bays between a pair of studs, the other diagonal bracing member being connected with bay corners on the opposite faces of the truss from the corners connected by the first bracing member, the apex portions of each of said zigzag bracing members being formed of open loops, alternate loops of one bracing member extending over the front runner of the same stud and being looped around the inside of alternate horizontal rods in the front face of the truss, the remaining loops of said one bracing member being looped around the outside of alternate horizontal rods in the rear face of the truss, the loops of the remaining diagonal bracing member being similarly looped around said horizontal rods so that the loops in one face of said truss are positioned opposite loops of like formation in the opposite face of the truss.

'I. A truss according to claim 6 wherein the outside loops of one diagonal bracing member are located adjacent a stud runner and between said runner and the inside loops of a diagonal bracing member located on the opposite side of said runner.

HARRY W. STANLEY. RALPH H. STANLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 687,967 Perry Dec. 3, 1901 1,011,104 Bates Dec. 5, 1911 1,257,827 Emmons Feb. 26, 1918 2,053,487 McLellan Sept. 8, 1936 2,133,574 Roemisch Oct. 18, 1938 2,175,983 Walsh Oct. 10, 1989 2,257,762 Paves Oct. 7, 1941 2,475,103 Mannist July 5, 1949 

